MINUTES:A motion was made by Mr. Smith to accept the September 8, 2016 minutes, seconded by Mr. Napoli; all in favor, motion carried.

VEHICLE BREAK INSMr. Kulick asked Chief Arthur to give an update on the vehicle break-ins over the past weekend. Chief Arthur said there about 8 vehicles involved but they were not technically break-ins, they were vehicles that were left open. Items that were stolen were change and CD’s. Residents saw suspicious people around but they did not report them.

REFUSE BIDS:Jonas Kreitzer from County Waste asked council if they had any questions. Mr. Markey asked why the bid for recycling and garbage came $30,000 less than the bid for just garbage alone. Mr. Kreitzer said their company prefers to recycle, the disposable costs go way down and there is also a rebate to process and market material. Mr. Kreitzer stated the reduction in labor and disposable costs on the trash collection end works out better for them. Tony from County Waste said all their trucks are split hoppers, they have less trucks and less people on the trucks. Their trucks weigh half of what a regular conventional truck weighs because half of their tucks are filled with recyclables.

Mr. Markey asked on behalf of the residents is it only once a month when you can put out anything that doesn’t fit in the tote? Tony from County Waste said no it is once a week bulk. A resident said those containers are huge and what happens if they just put one garbage bag out will it be picked up? Tony from County Waste said yes it will be picked up. Mr. Demarco asked what the next bid was and he is concerned if he fills one of those totes is that all they are limited to. Mr. Kreitzer said what is on the contract is what they will take and asked if the current contract is unlimited trash. Our current contract is unlimited trash.

Sam Augustine from J.P. Mascaro & Sons said they have provided service to Jermyn in the past. He stated they bid $430,000 which is less than what we are paying now. He stated it is a tight borough and not considered suitable for totes. Mr. Augustine said County Waste is coming in and trying to dictate how to pick up your trash and how they want the trash to be picked up. He said County Waste would come through and not get out of their truck. Mr. Augustine said we have to make sure we have a reputable vendor. Mr. Demarco asked Mr. Augustine if they pick up anything. Mr. Demarco said County Waste has a lot of rules and there are a lot of limitations. Mr. Kreitzer said in Jermyn it is unlimited trash and their bid is in full compliance with the bid specifications. Mr. Kreitzer said the totes may be confusing but they are a free add on. If the residents of Jermyn do not want the totes they can be easily taken out and the bid still stands.

Al Degennaro; Deputy General from J.P. Mascaro & Sons presented council with information regarding the bid specifications. He stated we do not give it to the lowest dollar bid but the lowest responsible bidder. The lowest responsible bidder is the bidder who’s bid is responsive and in compliance with your bid specifications. Mr. Degennaro said County Waste’s bid is not responsive. There are 4 or 5 areas where County Waste did not follow the bid specifications. Mr. Degennaro said some of the areas County Waste did not include in the bid specifications were listing the proper equipment and not specifying where they are disposing the waste.

Mr. Kulick said he can assure everyone we will rely on our solicitor’s opinion before we award the bid.

Mr. Kreitzer said they can pick up the borough with one truck and they have more than enough trucks available. He also stated disposable letters are outdated and it was something important 20 years ago when there was a shortage of landfill space. Mr. Demarco asked why a 3 year contract, do we see substantial savings on a 3 year contract? Mr. Kulick said not necessarily but we are trying to lock it in so we know what we are dealing with. Mr. Markey reassured everyone that we are writing the contract and they will have to abide by the contract.

INSURANCE BIDS:Greg Guldin from BB&T Insurance asked a few questions pertaining to the zoning board.

Jeff Kyle from DGK Insurance presented council and said they have been serving the borough for 20 plus years. The Borough bids out the insurance every year. He said in the end this is all going to come down to a discussion over coverage and it will get a little complicated. The bottom line will come down to the us deciding whether the savings we might realize up font from another carrier is going to warrant the protection we are going to give up and potential to occur a loss down the road because we don’t have the same amount of coverage or no coverage at all. Mr. Kyle provided council with a claims history from the past. Mr. Kyle wanted to clarify that his business did not block the market. Mr. Markey asked Mr. Kyle to clarify the policy expiration is November 13th. Mr. Kyle said yes.

BANK ACCOUNTS:Mr. Kulick said we have to maintain a percentage in FNB due to our paving loan. Mr. Markey suggested moving the general fund over to FNB, we would see a revenue increase of $1,500 by moving our account. A motion made by Mr. Markey and seconded by Mr. Napoli to move our general fund account from Community Bank N.A. to FNB. All in favor, motion carried.

DELINQUENT GARBAGE FEES:Mr. Kulick said quite a few households in the borough are delinquent in their property and garbage taxes. Mr. Kulick said delinquent means one or more year behind. We have delinquent tax payers who have not paid since 2013-2014-2015. He suggested submitting a letter to the delinquent residents giving them an adequate number of days to pay their garbage fee or the garbage will not be picked up. Mr. Kulick said there is a substantial amount of money that has not been paid and it is not fair to the other residents who do pay. These would pertain to the residents who have not paid 2015 and prior to 2015.

FINE REVIEWS:Council suggested updating and reviewing the fines and fees. There has been a problem with utility companies not obtaining pave cut permits. Chief Arthur cannot stop them from digging because he does not have a stop work order. Mr. Markey asked if we can change the fee structure instead of changing the whole ordinance. Mr. Markey said we have a lot of outdated fee structures that need to be updated especially with trying to get a balanced budget for 2017. Lou Demarco suggested bidding out a reviewing agency to look over the ordinances. Mr. Kulick said they have looked into it and it’s a minimum of $30,000 – $50,000. Lou DeMarco suggested hiring a road master to help enforce the rules and regulations. Mr. Markey said it would not be in the budget for 2017.

PAVING PROJECT:All of Jefferson, McKinley and 700 of Madison is paved. They are currently working on Chestnut and Walnut. Henry Drive should be starting next week.

JUNIOR COUNCIL MEMBER:Mr. Kulick asked about the characteristics we are looking for. Volunteerism, interest in local govt. interested in management, business, economics and budgeting.

BRIDGE HEIGHT LIMIT ON DELAWARE ST:Mr. Napoli suggested getting signs to warn trucks on the height limit. There have been many issues with trucks having to back out from Delaware to Bridge St. They suggested having 3 signs posted. A motion was made by Mr. Markey and seconded by Mr. Napoli to have the solicitor draw up an ordinance allowing us to place signs in the borough limiting vehicles underneath the bridge on Delaware St. to 13ft high max. Vehicles over 13ft must use Bonnie Dr. All in favor; motion carried.

Mrs. Wilson asked if the basin on Elm was cleaned out. Mr. Markey said it has not been cleaned yet, they will need assistance from the fire company to clean it out.

FIRE CHIEF:Mr. Rood received a call from the water company about the fire hydrant at Lincoln and Roosevelt. Mr. Rood said the hydrant was not requested. Mr. Kulick asked if we need the fire hydrant, Mr. Rood said probably not. A motion was mad by Mr. Napoli and seconded by Mr. Markey to advise PA water that we do not want the fire hydrant at Lincoln and Roosevelt St. All in favor; motion carried.

Mr. Rood met with the Glass family regarding the Muldoon’s property. They have a vested interest in town and would like to put another property in town. They are willing to get the property torn down and within the year and would like to put apartments there.

The Fire Company has received The Fireman’s Relief Check. It will be used towards safety equip. for fire service.

PUBLIC COMMENT:A resident suggested honoring the scouts for the plaque of World War II in the Legion Room. A motion was made by Mr. Markey and seconded by Mrs. Wilson to move the World War II Jermyn Resident plaque from the Legion Room to the hallway. Mrs. Wilson suggested a certificate of appreciation.

Mr. Demarco stated he has a concern with County Waste. He said J.P. Mascaro over the years has done a great job with garbage collection.

Mr. Kulick said on behalf of council they would like to congratulate Basil Kleha’s daughter; Dani-elle Kleha for winning an award down Nashville, TN and Tom Parry’s induction in the Northeast PA Hall of Fame.

Mr. Rood suggested council to look at both ends on what it might cost us down the road when it is time to review the insurance bids.

Mayor Smallacombe would like a person to be changed on the committee for the ordinances; John Mark has not been coming around to be on the committee and would like an extra person to be on it. Mr. Kulick volunteered to be on the ordinance committee.

Mr. Markey put the fall newsletter on hold. He said it is important to let residents know if we are changing garbage and/or recycling. Mr. Markey stated garbage is too important to exclude from the newsletter.

A motion was made by Mr. Napoli and seconded by Mr. Smith to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m. All in favor; motion carried.

1 comment to Council Minutes – October 6, 2016

What trash County Waste is going to pick up is very confusing. Is County Waste going to pick up any trash placed at curbside like the last refuse contractor did? According to the article in the newspaper they will, according to the council meeting minutes I am not sure. I have been told that the bid specs have not changed and that they were exactly the same specs as the previous contract. If that is true County Waste is required, by contract, to do the same.